KALAHEO — Kauai Youth Basketball Association coordinator Karen Matsumoto got an unexpected treat following the first of two playoff games in the Boys 14 Under program as Elijah Phillips of the Kapaa Warriors led his team with a bouquet of
KALAHEO — Kauai Youth Basketball Association coordinator Karen Matsumoto got an unexpected treat following the first of two playoff games in the Boys 14 Under program as Elijah Phillips of the Kapaa Warriors led his team with a bouquet of flowers that was presented to Matsumoto with a simple message, “Thank you for letting us play.”
The gesture came as the Warriors were handed a 48-12 humbling at the hands of the Lihue Breakaway who will face the Westside Hornets for the title game on Saturday starting at 3 p.m. at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
Alden Lahip and Braxton Garma paced the Hornets with six points apiece in their 34-21 win over Wailua to finalize the pairings for the championship game.
The Warriors, led by Phillips’ eight points and a pair each from Kila Youn and Korey Pang, will face off against Wailua for third place starting at 2 p.m. today.
Ira Nishi spearheaded the Breakaway offensive showing with 11 points with Isaiah Peroff adding eight.
Justin Ramos, Micah Alayvilla, and Treston Rego each contributed seven points apiece in the win.
Laphip and Garma got help from Mirah Moriwake, Kyle Achuela, and Vince Geronimo who each fired four points in the win that saw the Hornets provide a lot of playing time for their bench while holding a 10-point buffer.
Jenalyn Andres fired seven points and Janna Soto added six as Waimea topped the Kauai Fire Raiders I 21-8 to open the KYBA 17 Under girls program Thursday night.
Kassy Morishige led the Raiders I with three followed by Natasha Pigao and Darcie Allianic each coming up with a pair apiece in the loss.
Coach Alex Naumu’s goal in their 30-22 win over the Kauai Fire Raiders II was to get everyone on his bench to score, but came up one short as Delsa Tavana and Lorraine Lagoc led the Bus Drivers with seven points each in the win.
Ashley Vea added five, Charisse Ponce came up with four, and Pua Naumu finished with three to lead the Bus Drivers.
Ulu Kelekoma charged for eight first-half points to join Brandi Kohatsu in leading the Raiders II offense.
Lindsey Sugihara finished with five and Janee Correa had a digit to round out the Raiders’ scoring.
